More readers’ letters to The Courier on the subject of the referendum.
Latest ‘offer’: some voters are being cheated
Sir, I shall be writing to the Electoral Commission to suggest that the current “offer” of enhanced devolution from politicians within Better Together, who do not even have the authority of the UK Parliament to make any kind of proposal, is illegal at this point in the official campaign period, especially when numbers of electors have already voted and so have no opportunity to consider it.
What the unionist politicians are doing is effectively trying to rewrite the ballot paper, squeezing their last-minute ideas into the box labelled “no”.
They are “offering” a guarantee something they are in no position to give of enacting measures which: 1) are not going to be crystallised until after the poll; 2) are likely to be watered down in Commons debate; 3) will be handed down from on high like everything else in this undemocratic UK; 4) will not be put to any kind of consultation with the people; and 5) we can be fairly sure will be inadequate for Scotland’s needs.
Note Gordon Brown’s words: “We will kick off a plan to deliver the enhanced devolution we want.” For “we” read: “your Westminster lords and masters”.
We can enjoy a wee laugh at their panic, but this is serious. Voting is now ongoing, some voters are being cheated.
This move is fraud of the highest order, a classic pig in a poke. I hope enough of our compatriots will remember previous incidents of Scotland being hoodwinked, and not let them sell us this one.
I also hope the Electoral Commission may be persuaded to move against this. Meanwhile Scotland should not hold its breath there are Better Things to be getting on with.
Michael F Troon. 15 Crawford Avenue, Gauldry, Fife.
Powers that will never be
Sir, I congratulate your Deputy Editor, Steve Bargeton, on his forensic demolition of Gordon Brown’s fantasy timetable for more powers to be devolved to Scotland. For the avoidance of doubt, if Scotland votes “no” those powers will never be devolved.
Gordon Brown has form when it comes to mendacity. Throughout this campaign he has lied to pensioners and people requiring organ transplants about the impact of independence and a supine media has allowed him to get away with it. Thankfully, on this occasion, Steve Bargeton has called him out on his latest bout of dishonesty.
Alone among his peers, Mr Bargeton has exercised the critical faculties expected of normal, professional journalists. He points to the flat contradictions between statements made by, Brown, Darling, Balls and Osborne not to mention the coward, Cameron.
We have now reached the stage where democracy is being steamrollered because the media with a few honourable exceptions is not doing its job.
Even the STUC has voiced its misgivings about these ridiculous last-minute interventions. If Brown’s proposals can be put together in days and implemented in a matter of months, how come it hasn’t been done already?
The world knows this is the last throw of the dice for a losing No campaign. It is designed to fool just enough of that uncritical Labour constituency which desperately wants to believe that Scotland can have “the best of both worlds”.
Some will read the dishonest drivel in papers other than The Courier and give up their aspirations for real change. However, the vast majority won’t because Yes has done the groundwork properly and the movement towards independence is now unstoppable.
Jim Duthie. Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
There are no guarantees
Sir, If we look at the recent history of central Europe and the independence being “enjoyed” by the smaller countries, eg Montenegro; Bosnia, Kosovo, Moldova, etc, they are all struggling and seeing their younger generation leaving for better prospects.
Closer to home, the same thing has been happening in Ireland as a consequence of the economic recession effects on a small country.
The SNP continues to make an emotional case of aspiration sound like a cast-iron guarantee of economic fact and puts this message across on the basis of vocalisation taking the place of factual detail.
Such presentation may be fine for stand-up comedy, but is highly dangerous and disingenuous as a political strategy for the Scottish nation.
The SNP has had more than four years to put together a cogent plan for Scotland and has singularly failed to do so. That says a lot about the lack of quality in SNP politicians.
The over-riding question that is unanswered is : “Why make a small nation (UK) even smaller by this process of fragmentation aka independence?”
All this guff about “getting the Government we voted for” is simply emotional claptrap.
Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.
In no position to make offer
Sir, In 1979 Alec Douglas-Home urged Scots to vote “no” in the devolution referendum and we would get “something better. That “something better” was 18 years of rule by Mrs Thatcher and the Tories. We got the poll tax, the decimation of industry and a fire-sale of utilities.
Gordon Brown is now playing Lord Home’s role today. He is saying vote “no” for further unspecified powers at an unknown point in the future. Mr Brown is a backbench Labour MP who is in no position to offer those powers.
His intervention is desperation. He and the 46 other Labour MPs are worried they will be unemployed after September 18.
What Mr Brown’s announcement has shown is the utter hypocrisy of Better Together. They have demanded detailed answers from Yes but have been unwilling to commit to what powers Holyrood will get after a “no” vote. The reality is none.
Alan Hinnrichs. 2 Gillespie Terrace, Dundee.
Why bemoan loss then?
Sir, Alex Salmond is making much of the PM’s “panic” at the prospect of the potential dissolution of the union. If David Cameron didn’t genuinely care about the situation, why should he bemoan the “loss” of Scotland?
Support for the Conservatives north of the border is very low; there is little or no chance of his party’s current Westminster representation being doubled, and if there is a “yes” vote, there will be 41 fewer Labour MPs to get under his skin.
On another tack, may I express my revulsion at Pete Wishart’s “tweet” in which he associates people who have the temerity not to share his point of view with the Orange Order and Nigel Farage.
I feel that I am dignifying this smear by affording it further publicity but, sadly, it is indicative of the stance/strategy being taken by his party ie, we can give you no coherent/concrete facts about how our economy will sustain itself, but you’re a pariah if you disagree with us.
Richard R. Peters. 64 Lady Nairn Avenue, Kirkcaldy.
Freedom is an inward thing
Sir, On observing the referendum debate over the months, I have sensed among my fellow Scots a deep cry for freedom; a cry echoed by many people around the world, and one to which the No campaign has no answer.
But could this freedom actually be achieved in our liberation from the UK? I think not, because my gut feeling is that Westminster is oppressing us no more than we oppress ourselves.
The greatest Liberator ever to have lived, Jesus Christ, despite attempts to make him king by the force of the crowd, never supported the movement for the overthrowing of the Roman occupation of Israel surely a more pressing cause than our exit from the UK.
The bible teaches that freedom is an inward thing, based on a clear conscience, a pure inner life, and a right relationship with God. Jesus stated: “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8 verse 36)
Stuart Wishart. 12 Walnut Grove, Blairgowrie.
It’s not about nationality
Sir, I was told at the door recently: “I am British, therefore I am voting ‘no’.” I resisted the temptation to say: “I am English, therefore I am voting ‘yes’.” It would clearly be absurd.
This insistence on calling yourself “British” sounds very odd to English ears. I lived in England for 55 years and I cannot recall anyone describing themselves as “British”.
I can only assume this is the result of a kind of inferiority complex for some Scots who do not feel that “Scottish” is a sufficient description of themselves. If asked their nationality, the English say they are “English”.
The term “British” is a geographical reference to the British Isles which, of course, includes the Republic of Ireland.
The referendum is about who you trust to run the country: Westminster or post-independence Holyrood? It is not about your nationality.
Andrew Collins. Ladyburn House, Skinners Steps, Cupar.
Brigadoon train will soon hit the buffers
Sir, The train for Brigadoon will soon hit the buffers and hopefully that will be the last we see of Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and the rest of the crazy gang. These control freaks are intent on wrecking the United Kingdom.
Well, they will not succeed in doing that, but sadly they have certainly wrecked Scotland. Setting Scot against Scot has resulted in such bitterness that it will take decades before we get back to anything approaching normality.
Mr Salmond constantly prattles on about the “sovereign will” of the Scottish people but where was this “sovereign will” when he and his cronies passed gay marriage legislation?
His government are so obsessed with green issues that when councils, for excellent reasons, have turned down wind farm proposals these decisions are always overturned in favour of the get-rich-quick developers.
Voting “no” stops these power-hungry control merchants from placing jobs, pensions, savings and our children’s futures in jeopardy.
Robert Finlay. 6 Greenmount Drive, Burntisland.
Hopefully common sense will prevail on September 18
Sir, On September 18 we,the residents of Scotland, vote in the referendum.
This is not a vote for our favourite political party to govern us for the next five years nor is it in our opposition to the Westminster Government.
It is a vote to determine the future of Scotland either within the United Kingdom with the existing financial security and benefits for both Scotland and England or to become independent with a very uncertain future.
An analysis of the disclosures of both the Yes and No campaigns indicates the following effects of independence.
There will be no currency agreement for Scotland to retain the pound, Scotland can continue to use the pound but Scotland will have no control over its borrowings as interest rates will still be in the hands of the Bank of England. Such a position will cause mortgage rates, credit cards interest rates generally to rise.
The Barnett formula currently gives every person in Scotland £1400 per year more than every person in the rest of the UK. Every person in Scotland also enjoys the benefit of £200 more per year into the NHS than their neighbours across the border. These two benefits will be lost.
The financial services, banks, insurance companies are already preparing to leave Scotland in the event of a “yes” vote. Naturally this will result in many lost jobs and the knock-on effect on the country’s tax receipts.
Food, petrol and most items will cost more for the supply and distribution to a foreign country.
Receipts from the diminishing oil field will be split on a 5/58 basis based on the population of the two countries.
The defence of the country will need the establishment of an army and other back up services.
The already shrinking shipbuilding programme could well shrink further if all future shipbuilding is taken out of Scotland by the Ministry of Defence in London.
Immigration figures will rise thus creating additional burden on the benefits to be paid out.
Scotland will rid itself of the Faslane base but again there will be a significant loss of jobs (said to be 3,000 plus) again with the knock-on effect on tax received.
As I understand the position, in the event of a “yes” vote Scotland will need to fund the setting up of all government departments, DVLA, NHS, benefits offices etc and the overall cost, although unknown, will clearly impose an enormous burden on the financial resources of the country.
On the day, hopefully, common sense will prevail.
Colin McInnes. 2 Knockard Crescent, Pitlochry.
Just masking internal panic?
Sir, As someone who was closely involved in the political efforts to establish a devolved parliament, I remember well the SNP’s refusal to be involved with the Scottish Constitutional Convention. If we fast forward to today, it is just as sad to see the same “all or nothing” attitude to Scottish government.
The SNP were wrong then to shout down devolution, and they are wrong again today.
I wonder if the current “shouting down” of the Devolution-Max options masks an internal panic a panic that this weakness be seen again?
I would encourage everyone to coolly weigh up the benefits of having more power locally and without all the significant downsides of a costly and messy divorce.
Iain MacDonald. 41A Highfield Place, Birkhill, Dundee.
Perhaps we are too tolerant
Sir, Well, this is it are we to become a giant Cornwall or a compact Norway?
And what about the sector of the North Sea from Berwick to Carnoustie, moved from Scotland to England in 1999 as part of the devolution agreement?
Scots are honest and tolerant too tolerant, perhaps.
Graham Young. 37 Polepark Road, Dundee.
Alex’s ‘fantasy economics’
Sir, Sometimes the short, to-the-point letters are the best and tell it all. One such was a wee letter on Saturday past from Norman Ewan that told us Alex Salmond is a bit of a fraud. Well, I’ve said that for years.
Mr Ewan states that all the SNP “promises” are subject to the negotiations that take place if the Scottish people vote “yes” and I can tell you, they will take years. Alex looks like he’s eaten a lot of pies and I fear the ones he has been peddling to us are all in the sky.
The sad thing is he has managed to sell them to quite a bit of the Scottish populace and this “fantasy economics” was brought right home to me when an interviewer asked a “yes” voter in the audience at the recent STV production from the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh why she though Scotland was well-placed to go it alone.
She replied (and I can hear Alex Salmond talking here) that we had such great resources including the oil, and all the oil “that hadn’t been discovered yet”. Sorry, but I laughed. And cringed.
Is Scotland’s future being sold on something that has not yet been discovered yet? Doh!
Ken MacDougall. 3 Logie Avenue, Dundee.
What causes a break-up?
Sir, The United Kingdom is a marriage of countries, what causes most marriages to break-up? It’s quite often mistrust and lack of co-operation. If you had a neighbour/partner who decided to take a big chunk of your territory (6,000, square miles of the North Sea) without asking or giving a reason or even discussing it in detail! Is it time for a divorce?
If you had a neighbour/partner who decided to investigate your financial affairs (The McCrone report) and then keep it secret from you for 30 years! Is it time for a divorce? It really is quite simple for me, or have I missed something, I am open to suggestions.
It’s too late for a marriage counsellor and making last- minute offers are on the borderline of being insulting, and the references and comparison to Quebec have me completely baffled, but are actually making it easier to come to a decision.
John MacGregor. Mill of Garvock, Laurencekirk.
Always a little bit of England
Sir, If Scotland separates from the United Kingdom, a treaty will be broken from one side without consulting the other parties. The rest of the population of the UK should have been consulted.
After separation there will be a “we were right” period with money being splashed about, possibly by reducing capital spending. A left government will be in power until they do what they all do and overspend.
Taxes will be raised for anyone in work and who owns property or assets. People with funds will move them into Sterling banks. Head offices will relocate. Tax evasion will rise and tax income fall.
The country will fall into expensive debt. Trying to get outside investment will be frustrated by memories of Ford at Dundee and Chrysler at Linwood etc. Poverty will not be eliminated. That is impossible.
Then a “conservative” government will take over and introduce severe austerity to achieve solvency. The annoyance of left voters will be very dangerous as was seen in Greece recently and is clearly illustrated by the fanatical antics of the Yes campaigners.
After many years of strife, the country will settle down poorer, more vulnerable and probably disliked, with no connection to the Great Britain who built and established a commonwealth of nations and prove, to the shame of the nationalists, it was always just a colony of mighty England which eventually broke away.
R J Soutar. 37 Camperdown Street, Dundee.
Downside
Sir, Alex Salmond quotes Norway as an example Scotland would follow. He fails to mention that basic rate tax is 27%, corporation tax is 27%, VAT on food is 15% VAT on everything else is 25%. A pint of beer costs £6.50. Overall grocery prices in United Kingdom are 31.15% lower than in Norway.
Garry Barnett. Campsie Hill, Guildtown, Perth.
Bet? No thanks!
Sir, A wily punter is urging me to stake the future prosperity of kith and kin on a ‘win bet’ on a horse with unproven prospects on September 18. No thanks!
Harry Davey. 12 Dores Drive, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.